What is cannabis decriminalization and why progress is still slow

Group leaders, senates and political figures are all talking about decriminalizing cannabis. It still seems to be moving at a snail’s pace. Bills are introduced and then stalled. Those on the side of the law just don’t think we’re ready. Unfortunately, just because cannabis has been legalized in many places around the world doesn’t change what people think of the drug.

Even medical marijuana use is currently legal in 12 states, including California. But federal laws, which can override state laws, still classify cannabis as a highly addictive substance with no medicinal value, making the drug illegal to use, sell, and grow. Knowing the myriad of benefits medicinal cannabis has for so many makes it crucial that the federal government needs to keep up with what is happening in the rest of the country.

Structural and societal changes would be needed before decriminalization could happen, say some, who say we are not ready for drug decriminalization. All levels of government and stakeholders would need to enact regulations on issues such as drug use in public spaces, drug use near minors, discarded needles or other waste, and public grievances. Until then, we may stand still.

The benefits of decriminalization

There are many skeptics who have their reasons for not wanting the push for decriminalization, but the benefits speak for themselves. For example, Portugal decriminalized possession of all drugs back in 2001. Although their use has not changed significantly, rates of illness and overdose have declined widely, and drug treatment rates have increased. Decriminalization would stem the death toll by ensuring drug users are not using alone. Other advantages are:

• Save money by reducing jail, jail costs, and population
• Free up law enforcement resources for other, more pressing areas
• Prioritize health and safety over punishment for people who use drugs
• Reducing the stigma associated with drug use so that problem drug users are encouraged to step out of the shadows and seek treatment and other support
• Remove barriers to evidence-based harm reduction practices such as drug checking, heroin-assisted treatment, and medical marijuana

what is done

Cannabis legislation has stalled in recent years due to a lack of bipartisan support, but Democrats have been more optimistic this year as they control both houses of Congress and the White House — and as more states have opted to legalize the drug. A Democratic bill titled the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement Act was approved by the House Judiciary Committee last year and would overturn the federal ban on cannabis, remove criminal records and introduce a tax on cannabis.

People jailed for previous marijuana-related drug offenses should be released, and many politicians agree. Drug possession is the most frequently arrested crime in the United States, with one arrest every 23 seconds. A new poll shows more than half of Americans think President Joe Biden has made little to no progress in his first year on a key campaign promise to decriminalize cannabis.

Along with decriminalization, he also said during the campaign that he would move toward rescheduling cannabis and granting clemency to people with state marijuana convictions — and none of that has happened yet.

The biggest word of mouth concern is the fact that cannabis is being labeled as a “gateway drug”. There is still insufficient data on cannabis use and whether it is a gateway drug to make a decision on decriminalization. Are we ready or are there still too many things to consider?